When this was done, he informed Hume that Hazen was a well known sharper and that in the present case there was no doubt whatever of his guilt. "Mr. Camran gave him a check for $350 to settle the balance of a game of cards that I will swear was a swindle, for I watched it; and when the check was brought into the bank it had been raised to $3500. Luckily I got word that the check had been given in time to put the bank people on their guard by cable and he was arrested on the spot." "Is this true?" asked the lawyer, of me. "I don't know," I responded, carelessly. "I gave him a check--certainly--but for what amount I am absolutely unable to swear. I was confused at the time--a little put out, naturally--" Daly was surveying me with a look of rage. "So you're going to throw it up, are you?" he asked, gutturally. "And one of the prettiest cases I ever worked on, too." "I will mail you the amount of your bill this afternoon," I said, impudently. "The amount of my--" he repeated, dolefully. "Yes; but the gain to my reputation that would have resulted--who will compensate me for that? Gad, I'll never take hold of another case that has a woman in it! They can knock over the best of us. You can let your check-raiser go, for all of me," he said to the district attorney, as that gentleman came to the threshold. "The evidence seems to have petered out." Mr. Hume and I talked the matter over with the official, explained the part he took in the affair, and it was arranged that the case would not be brought before the Grand Jury at all. "I want to say I think you've played it a little low down on a man that interfered to save your life," said Daly to me, as he left the building. "But I'll watch for that fellow and you can bet I'll get him on something yet before he dies." I had no wish to argue with him. He was undoubtedly right, from his standpoint. It was enough for me to know I had succeeded in accomplishing what would put the roses into Marjorie's cheeks once more. CHAPTER XXVII. "I PRESSED THEM TO MY LIPS." I was very lonesome for a few weeks after my return. This it was that took me so often to the house occupied by the Bartons. Tom was immensely glad to see me, at all times, and Statia, though still very sober in my society, began to treat me with her old kindness.